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Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were tragically found deceased alongside their beloved dog in their New Mexico residence on February 26, 2025. This shocking discovery involved the late movie star, who had a remarkable career, and his talented pianist wife, who had been married since 1991. At the time of their passing, Hackman was 95 years old, while Arakawa was 63. The circumstances surrounding their deaths were initially shrouded in mystery, particularly due to unsettling reports about the condition of Arakawa’s body. As investigations unfolded, authorities remained tight-lipped about the precise cause of death, heightening public concern. However, during a press conference held on March 7, officials finally revealed the confirmed causes of death for the couple.

In the following sections, we will delve into the details surrounding the tragic deaths of Hackman and his wife, shedding light on what has been uncovered thus far.

Explore the Iconic Filmography of Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman had a prolific career, becoming a household name through a diverse array of roles in both film and television. His most iconic performances can be seen in classics such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, Bonnie & Clyde, I Never Sang for My Father, Superman, Superman II, and Mississippi Burning. Each of these films showcases his exceptional talent and versatility as an actor, contributing to his esteemed legacy in Hollywood.

Beyond these celebrated films, Hackman also left an indelible mark with memorable performances in The Poseidon Adventure, The Conversation, Loose Cannons, The Quick and the Dead, The Birdcage, Enemy of the State, Behind Enemy Lines, Runaway Jury, and Welcome to Mooseport. His ability to embody a wide range of characters across genres solidified his status as one of the greats in cinematic history.

Following the completion of Welcome to Mooseport, the Oscar-winning actor chose to retire from acting and pivoted to a successful writing career. He authored several books, including Wake of the Perdido Star, Justice for None, Escape From Andersonville, and Pursuit, demonstrating his creative prowess beyond the silver screen.

Unraveling the Mystery Behind Gene Hackman & Betsy’s Deaths

In the aftermath of their tragic passing, police initially stated that they did not suspect foul play. However, information obtained by TMZ revealed that a detective labeled the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa as “suspicious,” prompting further inquiry into the circumstances surrounding their demise.

Sante Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza addressed the situation publicly, confirming the discovery of both Gene Hackman and his wife. In a statement to the Santa Fe New Mexican, as reported by The Guardian, Mendoza stated, “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday.” This confirmation sparked further interest and concern from the community.

The Guardian reported that deputies responded to Hackman’s residence located in the Santa Fe Summit gated community on Old Sunset Trail. It remains unclear whether they arrived to investigate a reported death or to conduct a welfare check on the couple, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the incident.

In Sheriff Mendoza’s initial report, it was noted that law enforcement discovered the bodies of an elderly man and his wife in her 60s. He reassured the public, stating, “I want to assure the community and neighborhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone. We do not believe foul play was a factor in their deaths; however, the exact cause of death has not been determined at this time.”

The sheriff further explained, “All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant.” This statement indicated that the investigation was still ongoing, and more information was to be revealed.

According to a search warrant obtained by TMZ, a detective indicated in his affidavit that the “death of the two deceased individuals was suspicious enough to warrant a thorough search and investigation.” This assertion arose because the reporting party noted that the front door of the residence was unsecured and open. Additionally, deputies noticed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, and a deceased dog located in a closet of the bathroom. Other observations included the heater being moved, an opened pill bottle with pills scattered next to the female, and the male decedent found in a separate room with no obvious signs of a gas leak.

Further details revealed that the deputy observed an opened prescription pill bottle on the countertop near Arakawa, whose body exhibited signs of decomposition, including facial “bloating” and “mummification” on her hands and feet. Hackman was found fully clothed in another room, and investigators suspected that he had fallen, as his sunglasses were located next to him.

Understanding the Causes of Death for Gene Hackman & Betsy

As speculation surrounding Hackman’s death circulated on social media, many users considered the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, particularly given the reports indicating no foul play and the unfortunate discovery of Hackman, Arakawa, and their dog. However, a search warrant obtained by TMZ indicated that a detective observed “no obvious signs of a gas leak” in Hackman’s residence, casting doubt on this theory.

More than a week after their deaths, the causes of death for both Hackman and Arakawa were disclosed, as per E! News. Reports suggested that surveillance footage indicated Arakawa likely passed away on February 11, 2025, due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness transmitted through exposure to rodent urine, droppings, and saliva.

Investigators noted that Hackman’s pacemaker registered activity until February 18, indicating that he “probably died around February 18.” It was reported that Hackman was in “a very poor state of health” prior to his death, with heart disease likely contributing to his passing. His cause of death was officially determined to be hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), commonly referred to as hardening of the arteries, with Alzheimer’s disease identified as a significant contributing factor.